Opinion: Are Apps Dying?

My DD is a Pixel and while that's immaterial to my question, it has some context regarding AI. I use Google Assistant daily; often for simple tasks .. calculations without opening the calculator, traffic,weather forecast when traveling, etc. This morning I used GA to make restaurant reservations via OpenTable for next week. I believe that Apple was a leader with Siri and while she's not what she used to be, I feel Apple will do whatever it takes to "right the ship".

People have been talking more about the demise of apps in favor for AI. The way I engage my device, I can see less and less apps in favor of AI commands at some point in the near future. IMO, hardware will always have it's place, but services are the future. So regardless of your ecosystem of choice, the assistant will be the primary point of engagement instead of apps.

I asked the same question on the AC side, but with Siri being such a relevant part of Apple I wanted to pose the question here as well.

I don't think we're witnessing the demise of apps but I believe that many apps related to services will be streamlined into the experience on an on-demand basis. For instance, Siri—or whatever assistant you're using—could automatically access an OpenTable applet to make dinner reservations without requiring the end user to download and install the app itself.

Still, apps will be around for the time being. There are just too many use cases out there to cover all bases.

Maybe spending $1 to play apps are hurting but I'm an enterprise IT admin/exec and see some more powerful, capable and important than ever. A few from Cisco, Citrix and Microsoft are tremendous in a number of ways.

I don't see apps going away anytime soon. They're getting better and better. Siri may get more duties regarding services, but there's just a lot Siri won't be able to do. And many users don't even like to use Siri. I rarely do.

...
People have been talking more about the demise of apps in favor for AI. The way I engage my device, I can see less and less apps in favor of AI commands at some point in the near future. IMO, hardware will always have it's place, but services are the future. So regardless of your ecosystem of choice, the assistant will be the primary point of engagement instead of apps.

...

I'm missing something. An app would still be necessary. Would it not? I mean, something would need to be launched in order for the device to type and send an email message for me.

I'm missing something. An app would still be necessary. Would it not? I mean, something would need to be launched in order for the device to type and send an email message for me.

I think, as things develop deeper, that programming will be built directly in the AI, Siri in this case. I mean, what's an app to any of us besides an icon on the phone. If Siri can schedule your appointments, play your favorite music, send emails, make calls, etc.. I think the natural progression is to remove the icons and make Siri the point of engagement instead of opening the app manually.

So maybe, in the beginning, the first step would be getting rid of icons for Apple's own apps like the calendar. Siri would take over that function without you manually opening on the app, but everything else would remain the same. You could still tap a date and schedule an appointment.

So to respond properly to your post, yes I think a program/app would be needed at first regarding something needing to be launched. But, I believe that programming will eventually be 100% baked into AI...say within the next 5 years. Apps, as we know them now as an icon on a screen, goes away.

I don't see apps going away anytime soon. They're getting better and better. Siri may get more duties regarding services, but there's just a lot Siri won't be able to do. And many users don't even like to use Siri. I rarely do.

Apple had a 5 year head start with Siri. At the time of it's launch, nobody had anything close. Apple has neglected that part of the user experience, thus why you see something like Amazon's Alexa driving deeper into people's lives. The Wynn hotel is Las Vegas is adding Alexa to all of their rooms as a matter of fact.

I think AI usage is increasing, and I believe you will see Apple become rededicated to a very robust and incredibly capable Siri.

I don't think we're witnessing the demise of apps but I believe that many apps related to services will be streamlined into the experience on an on-demand basis. For instance, Siri—or whatever assistant you're using—could automatically access an OpenTable applet to make dinner reservations without requiring the end user to download and install the app itself.

Still, apps will be around for the time being. There are just too many use cases out there to cover all bases.

Granted, I don't think it will be tomorrow or anything, but the next 5 years... absolutely. I think app icons start going the way of the dinosaur. I mean it's a matter of programming for sure, but I can see Siri doing more and the user doing less (such as opening an icon).

Granted, I don't think it will be tomorrow or anything, but the next 5 years... absolutely. I think app icons start going the way of the dinosaur. I mean it's a matter of programming for sure, but I can see Siri doing more and the user doing less (such as opening an icon).

Thats a tough one. i would still say Apps are here to stay even with the inclusion of Virtual Assistants. Sure, Apps like the calculator and weather might fall away because you can just ask your assistant whats the weather tomorrow or whats 5 x 3 and sure enough you will get an answer. Apps like games or the iMore App will always stay.

For example the one App i love to use is called 'Colour'. It allows me to take a picture of a awl in my house and then i can digitally repaint the wall and see what it would look like. Don't think my assistant can help with that.

I'm laughing at what Siri can and can't do as well as her reactions in the context of being in IT admin with state of the art security appliances and web filtering. I get occasional flags regarding what people do or try to do. Some of that's stuff I wish I didn't have to face or learn but it is a smile to wonder what Siri would say.

These can be as simple as a WTF when I realize what's behind a site name or as serious as a recently ex employee's efforts to do sabotage.

It's not a laugh when I realize the power of some apps. I was between airport terminals on my way out of the country when the employee sabotage scenario happened. It sure drove home how and why players like Cisco and Microsoft will spend big on mobile apps even if sales of Candy Crush drop.

Weren't apps the 2nd or 3rd revenue producer for Apple? I thought I saw something on that from TechnoBuffalo. iPhone still #1 for Apple than apps I believe.

I know you're right about about the iPhone and revenues. iPhone sales is definitely the bulk of it, so I can understand why that product line would get the lion's share of attention.

Regarding apps going away, I still think there would be a need for developers that wouldn't hamper their ability to make money. Perhaps instead of the app being sold to the user and placed on the phone, it would be more cloud based and associated with your account.

Thats a tough one. i would still say Apps are here to stay even with the inclusion of Virtual Assistants. Sure, Apps like the calculator and weather might fall away because you can just ask your assistant whats the weather tomorrow or whats 5 x 3 and sure enough you will get an answer. Apps like games or the iMore App will always stay.

For example the one App i love to use is called 'Colour'. It allows me to take a picture of a awl in my house and then i can digitally repaint the wall and see what it would look like. Don't think my assistant can help with that.

Indeed. I don't want to take away the programming either. More how you engage it.

My DD is a Pixel and while that's immaterial to my question, it has some context regarding AI. I use Google Assistant daily; often for simple tasks .. calculations without opening the calculator, traffic,weather forecast when traveling, etc. This morning I used GA to make restaurant reservations via OpenTable for next week. I believe that Apple was a leader with Siri and while she's not what she used to be, I feel Apple will do whatever it takes to "right the ship".

People have been talking more about the demise of apps in favor for AI. The way I engage my device, I can see less and less apps in favor of AI commands at some point in the near future. IMO, hardware will always have it's place, but services are the future. So regardless of your ecosystem of choice, the assistant will be the primary point of engagement instead of apps.

I asked the same question on the AC side, but with Siri being such a relevant part of Apple I wanted to pose the question here as well.

Don't know if it works the same on Android but I use GA all the time on my iPhone via Chrome and it works EXCELLENT. I don't use Siri only if I have too like making a call or text. Wish I was able to do that with GA via iPhone though.

I don't see apps going away anytime soon. They're getting better and better. Siri may get more duties regarding services, but there's just a lot Siri won't be able to do. And many users don't even like to use Siri. I rarely do.

Same here like I said in another post I use GA A LOT via Chrome on my iPhone and I'll tell you for me it's EXCELLENT with a capitol E.

I probably should try and find an icon that is an Apple logo with Google colors in it lol because I LOVE iOS but LOVE Google services and technology over Apple. I'm an iOS fanboy but also a Google(not Android) fanboy. Want a bonafide Google iPhone with iOS. I don't need or want customization.

no. i barely use siri. But siri doesn't do everything apps do. But voice services don't erase the need for say, the espn app to watch espn, or the a podcast app to listen to podcasts.i think the novelty of apps has worn off.